14-year-old allegedly assaulted at school
Investigators are looking into a girl's claim that she was sexually assaulted Tuesday afternoon by a fellow student at Clarke Middle School, Athens-Clarke police said.

More than $6,000 in electronics taken
Burglars smashed a window of a home in the 300 block of Roberts Road between Oct. 1 and Wednesday afternoon and stole a Sony receiver, three television sets and a PlayStation worth more than $6,000, Athens-Clarke police said.

10 kegs stolen from convenience store
Thieves damaged a fence to get into an outdoor storage area at Perry's convenience store, 1195 Cedar Shoals Road, between 6:30 p.m. Monday and 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and stole 10 kegs of beer with a total value of $5,000, police said.

Woman kills self on day of eviction
A woman committed suicide in her home in the 400 block of Fowler Mill Road in Bogart on Tuesday, the same day she was supposed to go to court for an eviction hearing, Athens-Clarke police said.

Thieves kick in door to steal electronics
Thieves kicked in the back door of a home in the 200 block of Lexington Circle where between 11 a.m. and noon Wednesday and stole a video camera and television set with a total value of $1,500, Athens-Clarke police said.

A/C unit lifted from Athens home
Thieves stole an air conditioning unit valued at $2,500 from outside a home in the 100 block of Simmons Street between midnight and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Athens-Clarke police said.

Workman's tools pilfered by thieves
Burglars stole an Athens man's power tools from a home in the 200 block of North Rocksprings Street after they kicked in a back door between 5 p.m. Tuesday and 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Athens-Clarke police said.

Burglar slips in without entry sign
A home in the 100 block of Fairway Circle was burglarized between 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesday and a TV set valued at more than $1,300 was stolen, Athens-Clarke police said.

Police chase after home burglars
Crooks kicked in the back door of a home in the 200 block of Michele Drive around 7:15 Wednesday evening and stole a television set and laptop computer with a total value of $2,000, Athens-Clarke police said.

Electronics, cash taken in burglary
A woman left her home in the 100 block of Deer Creek Drive about 1 p.m. Tuesday, and when she returned, she saw her doors and windows were opened and belongings, valued at more than $2,000, were stolen, Athens-Clarke police said.

Evicted woman complains someone took belongings
Deputies who evicted a woman from a home in the 200 block of North Bluff Road Wednesday morning placed her belongings in the front yard, but the woman said someone stole two television sets valued at more than $1,000 between 10 and 11:40 a.m., Athens-Clarke police said.

Ex-worker suspected in equipment theft
Investigators suspect a man who was fired Monday afternoon from Davis Signs, 3495 Jefferson Road, might have returned that night to steal jumper cables, a cutting torch, a welder, ground lead and gauges valued at more than $1,900, Athens-Clarke police said.

Guest made off with host's jewelry
A woman suspects that a man who she let stay at her home in the 800 block of Sunset Drive stole her purse and several rings with a total value of more than $1,100 between 5 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday, Athens-Clarke police said.

Computer taken from auto parked at home
A thief entered a car parked outside the owner's home at University Towers, 131 E. Broad St., between 2:15 and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and stole a laptop computer valued at $1,250, Athens-Clarke police said.

White House hopefuls make closing arguments
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - John McCain assailed Barack Obama's character and campaign positions on taxes, abortion and more Wednesday night, hoping to transform their final presidential debate into a launching pad for a political comeback. "You didn't tell the American people the truth," he charged.

Sheriff candidates make pitch
Jailers should screen and deport inmates who are in the United States illegally, Clarke County Sheriff Ira Edwards said Thursday.

Early to vote, late to work?
DECATUR - The lines started forming after breakfast, and they ebbed and flowed all the way through dinner. At times, dozens stretched through the narrow halls of the DeKalb County government building waiting to cast their ballots.

Law experience hot topic in Oglethorpe sheriff race
In one of the most heated races in Oglethorpe County in this election cycle, Republican challenger Bill Fincher is looking to unseat Sheriff Mike Smith, who is seeking his second term in office this November.

Evans finds time for family
WATKINSVILLE - There's a full moon over Oconee Veterans Park after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and a bunch of bouncing 9- and 10-year-old boys on the victorious Pirates junior football team aren't anywhere ready for bedtime.

Notebook: Dogs focus on East race
When Georgia won at Vanderbilt last season, it ended a six-game losing streak to SEC East opponents. Now the No. 10 Bulldogs will try to make it six straight wins against division foes Saturday against the No. 22 Commodores.

Yoculan released from hospital
Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan was released from the hospital Thursday after being treated for burns to her esophagus.

Yoculan released from hospital
Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan was released from the hospital Thursday after being treated for burns to her esophagus.

Gym Dogs at Tour of Gymnastics Superstars
Georgia’s Courtney McCool was recently invited to perform at the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars in Atlanta on floor, but had to decline due to tendonitis in her foot.

Dogs at Tour of Gymnastics
Georgia's Courtney McCool was recently invited to perform at the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars in Atlanta on floor, but had to decline due to tendonitis in her foot.

Mary Anne O'Neal: School zoning plan too disruptive
For the benefit of those who were unable to attend Monday night's forum at Clarke Middle School on the Clarke County School District's proposal to change elementary school attendance zones, I'd like to tell you what you missed.

Cara Hurlburt: Be safe this weekend
In light of recent articles in both the Athens Banner-Herald and The Red & Black, I would like to remind students and others to stay safe during the upcoming University of Georgia home football weekend.

David A. Lunde: Sanford atmosphere distracting
At a Little League game, you understand that the signs on the outfield fence are sold to help maintain the field and the program. But, if they were bright neon signs that flashed on and off during the entire game, and a loudspeaker blared ads between each batter's turn, fans would yell, "Turn those darned things off. We came to see the kids play baseball."

Steven Fitscher: Partisan politics destructive
A commercial put out by the Georgia Democratic Party in support of its U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin accuses incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss of supporting a 23 percent increase in taxes. That is sort of true, but what the commercial didn't say was that Chambliss also wants to do away with the income tax, death tax, capital gains tax, etc.

Bob Stephenson: Gas gouging in Athens?
Adding to the Wednesday letter headlined "Gas prices are a mystery," whose author wondered why we pay so much more for gasoline in Athens: I was born in Athens but moved away a number of years ago. We still had family here in Athens, so we returned yearly for visits.

Preserving a church's treasure
Paul Manoguerra waited until the light-dependent artwork came to life. Then he scaled a "really big ladder," zoomed his camera lens into the Biblical scenes and captured the colorful details stained into the tall windows inside St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Lessard: Make wall colors complementary
Dear Lanie: I would like to ask a question about painting rooms different colors. My home has an open floor plan, so I can see every room as soon as I walk in the door. The walls and ceilings are white and I want to change that. I don't want to paint every wall the same color, but then I don't want the house to look like a Crayola box. I tend to lean toward greens and blues and have even started a mural of trees on the den wall. What's your suggestion?

Tedrow: Scurf attacking sweet potatoes
I have been digging up my sweet potatoes and they have some brown or black spots on the skin of the potato. The flesh does not have any spots or flaws. I'm planting the same variety I have for the past few years and the spots have never been this bad. Is this drought related or is something else going on?

So much to say, so little time
Robert Peterson only had 6 minutes and 40 seconds to talk about the many accomplishments of the 17th century scholar Athanasius Kircher. It wasn't going well.

Spencer Frye: Familiar face, new tunes
Spencer Frye has made a lasting impression in town as the executive director of the Athens area chapter of Habitat for Humanity, having a hand in the construction of nearly 40 new homes in the last 10 years.

Hard to label 'Enemy,' 'Fringe,' 'Life on Mars'
Years ago, some bright soul thought up a term to describe TV shows that made absolutely no sense. The term seemed to embrace almost anything that was not a "sitcom" or a "drama," while also issuing a warning to viewers that they should prepare to fasten their seat belts because this particular ride could also be very bumpy, or very silly.

Madonna, Guy Ritchie announce divorce
LONDON - After countless denials of domestic trouble, Madonna and Guy Ritchie announced Wednesday they are divorcing after nearly eight years of marriage.

Cox, Moore make directorial debuts
LOS ANGELES - When women make movies, Hollywood pays attention, as scores of A-listers turned out to see Demi Moore, Courteney Cox and screenwriter Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith make their directorial debuts.

Hansbrough prepared for final ACC season
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - For Tyler Hansbrough, the value of another year at North Carolina can't be measured in NBA dollars. It's not just about records, titles or trophies, either.

Wall Street riding a rollercoaster
NEW YORK - A stock market as difficult to fathom as it is volatile pulled off another stunning U-turn on Thursday, transforming a 380-point loss for the Dow Jones industrials into a 401-point gain.

Traffic changes considered
Oconee County education and law enforcement officials are talking about altering the school-day traffic pattern around Butler's Crossing, where a sheriff's deputy was hit and killed last week.

Plans for Bear Creek boat ramp may sink
A much-anticipated boat ramp that would allow anglers access to Bear Creek Reservoir may fall victim to proposed cuts in the state Department of Natural Resources 2008 budget.

Airline gets security deal for Atlanta
Passengers flying from Athens to Atlanta on Wings Air will be able to avoid long security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport beginning Nov. 1.

First dean selected for med school
A Wright State University medical school administrator will be the first dean of a Medical College of Georgia-University of Georgia medical college campus in Athens.

County's largest mill will close for weeks
The Weyerhaeuser Co. officials announced Thursday that production work at the Colbert mill will be suspended for at least six weeks, leaving 80 employees without paychecks.

Editorial: No place for sophomoric electioneering this year
In a typical election year, stories now appearing in the media about attempts to unfairly influence the outcome of Nov. 4 presidential balloting wouldn't be worth all that much notice. While indubitably misguided and injurious to the electoral process, such shenanigans have been at the margins of the American political process for as long as there has been an American political process.

Time to consider reforming presidential debates
They were watched by tens of millions of people, but this year's presidential and vice presidential debates were singularly unremarkable in terms of any actual value to the voting public.

Legitimate criticism of Obama tempered by race issue
Liberal Democrats have a long tradition of tarring opponents as the monolithic forces of hatred and prejudice while casting themselves as the enlightened proponents of peace, love and decency. And this election shows that tradition is alive and well.

Hanging with Jefferson's Kara Perry
All year, Jefferson has been the surprise team of Region-8-AA. What has been perhaps an even bigger surprise is that they are being led into the postseason by a sophomore.

Big, colorful flowers aren't that hard to grow
If you're a first time homeowner, listen up. If you think you can't grow fabulous flowers, read on. If past failures have made you throw your hands up and retreat from gardening in general, get ready to rumble. There's a secret to great big bold flowers.

AAAR PR Committee Raffle Benefits Relief Fund
Athens, Georgia (September 30, 2008) The Athens Area Association of REALTORS® (AAAR) Public Relations Committee held a raffle to benefit the AAAR Relief Fund. The single lucky winner was given the opportunity to choose either a $500 Lowes Gift Card, a $500 Target Gift Card or a $500 Gas Card. The drawing was held at the September 12th AAAR General Membership Meeting and the lucky winner was Bob Allen, of Prudential Blanton Properties. Bob generously choose a lesser prize valued at $350 and donated the remaining $150 to the Relief Fund!

Phillies advance to World Series
LOS ANGELES - Jimmy Rollins got the Phillies rollin' with a leadoff homer and they kept right on going. Next stop, the World Series.

Philies weary of too much rest
PHILADELPHIA - They'll take batting practice, field grounders, shag flies and rest. Then, they'll do it again - and again.

Rays fill up every seat in stadium
ST. Petersburg, Fla. - Nearly 5,800 seats that have been covered for Tampa Bay's first four home playoff games will be filled when the Rays return to Tropicana Field for either Game 6 of the AL championship series or Game 1 of the World Series.

Obama speech will delay start
NEW YORK - Major League Baseball has agreed to push back the start time of a potential World Series Game 6 by eight minutes to allow Democrat Barack Obama to purchase a half-hour of air time on the Fox network.

Kazmir to start Game 5
BOSTON - The Tampa Bay Rays are giving Scott Kazmir the chance to pitch them into the World Series.

Sports world feeling pinch
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The NBA got lots of attention last month when it said the bad economy was forcing it to lay off 9 percent of its work force. But there was little shock in the Charlotte Bobcats' organization, which had already seen two rounds of job cuts.

Williams joins Cowboys at tumultuous time
IRVING, Texas - Not far from the unoccupied locker of suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, receiver Roy Williams talked excitedly Wednesday about coming home to play for the Dallas Cowboys.

Former Tennessee star Mims dies at 38
LOS ANGELES - Chris Mims, a former defensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers beset by legal problems, was found dead in his downtown apartment Wednesday.

Brodeur shuts out Thrashers
ATLANTA - Martin Brodeur made 27 saves for his 97th career shutout and first this season, and Brian Rolston scored before getting hurt in the New Jersey Devils' 1-0 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night.

Sorenstam looks ahead to next step
KAPALUA, Hawaii - Annika Sorenstam's storied career is quickly coming to a close and the 72-time LPGA Tour winner has no second thoughts about her decision to retire at the end of the season.

Johnson grabs share of lead
LAS VEGAS - Zach Johnson had another "boring" day on the course. Not that that's a bad thing for a player who relates boring to efficient.

Regents accept fraternity relocations
ATLANTA - A plan to build new University of Georgia fraternity houses on River Road can move ahead after the state Board of Regents approved an initial phase of the project Wednesday.